The Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing is one of our favorite treks and Peak Climbing and we’d be delighted to help you explore this incredible legion in Nepal.
Island peak Climbing is one of the rewarding peak climbing in Khumbu Region of Nepal. Before you attempt the climb, however, you must be properly acclimatized. If you have trekked to Everest Base Camp, 5357m, and Kala Patthar, 5545m from Jiri, Phaplu or even Lukla, you will be acclimatized. You might even want to include a nearby pass such as Renjo La, 5338m, or Cho La 5420m, kongma La 5535m for good measure. Island Peak captivates the interest of experienced and aspiring climbers alike. Standing on the summit of Island Peak, 6189m, you are surrounded by the entire Khumbu range, including Nuptse, Lhotse, Lhotse Middle Peak and the unclimbed Lhotse Shar. To the East, are the frozen waves of the Lhotse Shar Glacier, Cho Polu, 6734m, and the perfect pyramid of Mt. Makalu, 8475m.
Island Peak Climbing is rated ‘moderate’; and although a good level of physical fitness is essential, previous climbing experience is not required. Its highly glaciated West Face rises from the Lhotse Glacier up to a technically straightforward ridge; this is a perfect place for novice climbers to develop the skills of climbing on snow and ice at high altitudes.
From Chhukung village, the trail follows the moraine of the massive Lhotse Glacier, then the Imja Tso Khola (river) to Island Peak Base Camp, 5100m. There are slabs and boulders to clamber over to reach high camp, 5500m. After high camp there are more rocks and scree at first, but the final few hours to the top requires the mountaineering skills. There is a 300-meter headwall and a snowy summit ridge which require ropes, crampons and ice axes.
Island Peak Climbing takes only 3 days and 2 nights, making it one of the shortest and least expensive climbing packages offered. Each climb starts according our scheduled departure dates. The minimum size of a group is two persons.
The name Island Peak was given in 1952 by the great climber, Eric Shipton, who thought it looked like an island in a sea of ice. It is registered with the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) by the name "Imja Tse", which was given to it later. It is a favorite peak expedition of the Everest region of Nepal.
The Everest Base Camp trek is one of Nepal's most popular treks and rightly so. Just imagine standing right at the foot of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Trekking to Everest - known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma (Mother Goddess of the World) in Tibetan and Sherpa - has a long tradition. The trail is very well developed with comfortable and quirky tea houses along the way. Our trip leads you through the Solukhumbu region slowly up the valley, tracing the path of the successful British 1953 expedition all the way to the Everest base camp. Along the way, you will see some of the most impressive mountains like Cholatse and – the favorite of many visitors – Ama Dablam. If you feel up to it, you can hike up Kala Pathar (5,554m) which offers a magnificent panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Nuptse and many more famous mountains as well as the Khumbu glacier.
Highlights:
- The vibrant, colorful, chaotic city of Kathmandu
- Experience Nepali Sherpa culture
- Southwest face of Everest
- Forests of rhododendron, birch and conifer
- Island Peak, one of the popular peaks to climb
- Astounding views of Lhotse, Imjatse and Ama Dablam
- Admire Mount Everest and contemplate the history of its exploration
- Stand on top of Kala Pathar and observe some of the highest mountains of the world
- Discover the rich culture of Solukhumbu, the Sherpa heartland